Flashlight



March 18, 1941. 'w. M. LENNAN 2235.714

FLASHLIGHT Filed April 13, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. W M.ZE/VA/A/V ATTORN March 18, 1941. w', LENNAN FLASHLIGHT INVENTOR [N/VA/V.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WML Filed April 13, 1936 ATTORNE Patented Mar. 18,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to flashlights orportable battery-operated and self-contained electric hand lamps.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved flashlightwhich includes a bulb, socket, battery, and. switch, all of which areenclosed in a fluid proof housing.

Another object! of the invention is to pro-. vide a flashlight includingnovel means for A further object of the invention is to provide aflashlight including a novel switch mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flashlight includingnovel means for connecting a bulb socket to the battery.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a flashlightincluding novel focusing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flashlight includingnovel means for supporting a reflector.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel casing for aflashlight.

Other objects and the advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a central, sectional view through a flashlight embodying thefeatures of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the flashlight casing removed from therubber housing;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view showing thefront'portion of the flashlight;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the holding clip;

Fig. '7 is acentral, sectional view through a modified lens member;

Fig. 8 is a central, sectional view on an enlarged scale showing amodification of my invention;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary, central, sectional view through a modifiedform of flashlight;

11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing a further modification;

Fig. 12 is a section taken 'on line |2-i2 of I Fig, 11; and

Fig. 13 is a rear view of the lens member shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

mounting an electric light bulb socket there- 'minal 26 on the forwardend of an inner cell Referring to the drawings, I have indicated myimproved flashlight generally: at l0. As. shown the flashlight includesan outer hollow housing ll made of flexible rubber and an inner orbattery casing II. The casing I2 is made of metal 5 and includes acylindrical body portion which at its rear end is provided with a pairof bayonet-joint slots H. The rear end is closed by an inner closure cap[5 preferably of metal which is provided with inwardly struck tongues I510 which fit in the bayonet slots It so that when the cap is placed onthe sleeve and rotated it will be firmly held in place.

The front end of the innercasing i2 is provided with an internal flangell which is en- 15 gaged on its inner surface by a flber disk l8 and onits outer surface by a similar fiber disk IS. The disks l8 and I! areheld in place on the flange I! by suitable rivets as clearly shown inthe drawings. The outer heads on the rivets 20 20 also engage andsupport an inwardly directed metal flange 2| on a metal collar 22. Thiscollar 22 is provided at one point at its circumference with a contactmember 23 the purpose of which will be presently described.

.The disks [8 and I9 are engaged by and support a central rivet 24 whichhas an inner head 25 thereon which is adapted to engage a terof abattery while the outer end of the rivet 2| engages the center contact29 of an electric lamp or light bulb member 30-. The bulb member issupported by a helical spring 3i the convolutions of which engage thethreads on the bulb me her to thus provide a resilient socket. Thespring 3| has its end secured beneath a curved boss -32 on the flange 2|as shown in Fig. 4.

The cap member i5 is provided with a plu-. rality of inwardly strucktongues 33 which engage one end of a spiral spring 34 and the other endof the spring 34 engages the bottom 35 of a cell 36 of the battery. Inthe accompanying drawings I have shown my invention as embodied in a twocell light but it will be understood that the number of cells isimmaterial so tight sliding fit within the housing I I.

is provided with a roughened portion 62 to engage a roughened, similarlytapered portion :33

on a rubber outer closure cap member i i andthe construction is suchthat when, the two tapered portions are forced together the roughenedportions will engage so that the cap will not be accidentally displaced.A bead 35 may be provided at the juncture of the cap and housing.

Adjacent the forward end the housing is flared outwardly as at it and isprovided with an inwardly faced groove ll? which receives a lens orother transparent member d8 which is preferably made of non-breakablecomposition material and is shown as in the nature of a plane diskhaving a stifiening flange $19 which is seated in the groove d'i.

' A reflector member of suitable configuration is indicated at be andincludes a body portion 55 and a cupped rim 52 which fits over a guardportion 53. This guard portion in turn engages an insulating ring 541which is mounted on the free end 55 of the forwardly projecting portion69 of the sleeve 39. This sleeve 39 is provided with a slot 56 and witha pair of downwardly struck arms 5? as clearly shown in Figs. 1 to 4.Mounted-in the slot is a circuit closer 58 which includes a notchedportion 59 which engages the end of the slot 56 so that it may rock. Thecircuit closer 58 includes a shoulder 60 which limits movement in onedirection.

The arms 57 and the circuit closer 58 are provided with apertures ti and52, respectively, in which a. spring wire 63 is inserted and bent toform a loop. The outer housing is provided with a recess 94 to receivethe end of the circuit closer 58. The apertures 6! and 62 are soarranged that the switch member will be held in the position shown inFig. 4 with the end of the switch member engaging the contact 23 in oneposition and will be held with the switch member free from the contactas shown in Fig. 1 in the other position. I

The flashlight housing is provided with a circumferential band 65 whichmay be made of rubber and which includes a projecting arm 66 having anaperture 67 therein by means of which the flashlight may be hung up ormay be suspended from a worker's clothing. The arm 66 may have a.suitable stifl'ening member molded therein such as a piece of canvas 66.

The inner or battery casing is preferably provided with a plurality ofelongated slots 68 and with outwardly struck ribs 69 which as shown inFig. 5 engage the inner wall of the housing.

) In assembling the flashlight the casing may be assembled as shown inFig. 2 with the light bulb 39 in place and with cells 21 and 38 inplace. The casing is then inserted in the housing so that the sleeve 39engages the inner wall of the housing. The flashlight is then operatedby pressing down on the flexible rubber housing adjacent one end of thecircuit closer 58 to rock the circuit closer so that it assumes theposition shown in Fig. 4. Current then passes from the terminal 26 ofthe battery through the rivet 24 to the center'contact of the bulb 30thence to the socket 3|, boss 92, flange 2|, and to the collar 22 whenceit passes through the contact member 23 to the circuit closer II thenceto the sleeve 1 39 to the casing 12 thence to the closer cap l5,the'spring 34 and to the end oi the battery.

When the housing is again pressed upon the other end of the circuitcloser 58 the switch assumes the position shown in Fig. l where thecurrent supply is broken.

To install a new battery the cap member 6 5 is removed as is the cap 55.The batteries are then replaced and the parts reassembled. To replacethe bulb 138 the cap member l is removed and the casing 52 is rotated,causing it to withdraw irom the threads 38 so that the entire casing isremoved. The bulb is then replaced and the casing reinserted. To replacethe lens memher or transparent closure 38 the front end of the housingis stretched allowing the lens to be removed after which a new lens maybe inserted.

In focusing the light after theparts are in the position shown in Fig. lthe cap member id is removed and the housing is rotated. The sleeve 39engages the inner wall of .the housing so that it does not turn butcauses the casing to move alon due to the threads ill and 38 thus'movingthe bulb 30 relative to the light reflector 50.

In'Figs'S and 9 I show a modification of my invention. In thismodification the housing and casing are similar to that previouslydescribed and like parts are indicated by primed similar referencenumerals.

In the modification the front end of the casing 52 has a flange 8E!thereon which is engaged by an inner disk 8! and an outer disk 32. Thetwo disks are held in place by a central rivet 83 the inner head ofwhich contacts with the contactmember 85 of the battery and the outerhead 86 of which engages the head 81 of a rivet 89 which has an outerhead 89 riveted to a reflector 99 as at 98. The rivet includes a reducedportion 88 between the heads 8'! and 89. A reflector guard 93 is mountedon an insulation ring 94 which is arranged on the forward edge ofthe-forwardly projecting portion 40' and this guard is provided with anaperture 95 through which the reduced portion 92 of the rivet 88 is freeto pass.

The casing is provided with a groove 37' in which a lens member 48' ismounted. This lens member is provided with a. peripheral flange .49 andclamped upon this flange 49' is an annular ring 95' which includes aprojecting tongue 96 on which a block of insulation 96 is mounted. Onthe block 96 an electric light bulb socket 91 is secured. This sockethas a center contact electrically engaging the tongue 96 which iselectrically connected by a contact 91' with the reflector guard 93. Thesocket is also connected by a conductor member 98 with a spring member99 which engages an arm I on a circuit closer l0! which is similar tothe circuit closer 58 previously described and this is operated by a:spring N12 to maintain it in either of two positions. The spring member99 is insulated from the guard 93 by insulation I03 and the switch II isalso insulated from the guard 93 by insulation 194. In the modificationjust described the housing is provided/with a recess roughened bottom.This the switch.

I which has a recess serves to locate When the circuit closer ml is in.the position thence to the battery through the battery ena i sprin InFig. 10 I show a slight modification of my invention wherein a lampsocket I is secured upon the lens member 00" by means of a rivet I01.The outer shell of the light socket is connected by a lead I00 with aresilient contact I00 which engages the guard 03' while the centercontact of the light socket is connected through the rivet I01 with alead III which engages a terminal III and which terminal III in turnengages the spring contact member 00'. The switch mechanism and themounting for the reflector in the modification shown in Fig. 10 is inall respects identical to that described in connection with Fig. 8.

In Fig. 10 the circuit closer IOI is-shown as in.

"01! position and when the housing is pressed,

. however, to. move the circuit closer inwardly it through the rivet I01to the lead IIO through :tance apart. The conductor member the terminalIII to the spring member 99', circuit closer IOI, sleeve 39', and thencethrough the casing back to the battery.

In Figs. 11, 12, and 13 I show a further modification of my invention.In this modification the housing, casing switch, and reflector areidentical with those shown in connection with Figs.

.8 and 9 just described. In the modification of Figs.ll, 12, and 13 thesocket 114, instead of being secured to the lens by the rivet I01 issecured to a fiber bar II5. Adjacent one end the bar H has an electricalcontact member IIG secured thereto which is electrically connected tothe plate II1 by a wire I I8. Adjacent the opposite end the bar II5 hasa pair of electrical contact members I I9 and I20 mounted thereon. Thecontact member II! is electrically connected to the shell of the socketII by a wire I2I. Each of the contact members H0 and I20 includes aspring contact finger I22 which is positioned in a recess I 23 on theside of the bar opposite to the contact members.

When the bar H5 is used a glass lens I24 is positioned in the recess 41'of the housing II. On the inner face of the lens I24 a circularelectrical conductor member I25 is provided. The conductor member I25forms substantially a complete circle except for spaced end portions I26and I21 which are spaced only a. slight dis- I25 is preferably made ofa. frangible material such as tinfoil and may be secured to the lens bya coating of Celluloid I 20 or other suitable material, with the endsI26 and I21 exposed.

The bar H5 is positioned in the housing III with the contact member II 6engaging the contact finger 99 and with one portion of the contactmember I20 engaging the reflector guard. When the lens I24 is inposition the end I21 of the conductor I25 engages the spring fingerportion I22 of the contact member I20 and the spring finger portion I22of the contact member II9 engages the end I26 of the conductor I25. Whenthe switch mechanism is actuated current flows from the contact finger99 through the contact H6 and the wire H8 to the center contact of thesocket Ill and from the shell of the socket the current flows throughthe wire I2I to the contact and through its associated finger portionI22 to the end I20 of the conductor I25 thence through the conductor tothe end I21 thereof and through the wring finger portion I22 of thecontact member I2. to the reflector guard.

From the foregoing it will be seen that for a complete electric circuitto the light socket I It the current must flow practically completelyaround the entire lens I24, thus should the lens I24 become cracked orbroken at any point the breakable conductor I25 will be severed, therebybreaking the electrical circuit between the battery and the lightsocket.

In Fig. 7 I show a modified form of lens which is indicated at I30. Asshown this lens includes a body which is preferably of colorless,transparent glass and on the face of this body I arrange a colored, suchas red, translucent member I32 which has a central aperture I33therethrough and which is held to the lens I20 by a. peripheral band I3I. This lens member may be used for signalling, such as by policeofficers, and for other imp s s.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provideda novel flashlight which can be economically manufactured and which ishighly efilcient inuse.

While I have referred to the use of rubber as a preferred material forthe housing, it will be obvious that any other resilient, waterproofmaterial which is a poor conductor of electricity may be used.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In a flashlight, a housing, a battery casing in said housing, saidhousing comprising an elongated hollow flexible rubber member adapted toreceivea transparent closure at one end, the other end of said hollowmember including a wall portion tapering in one direction, and a cap,said cap including a tapering portion fitting said first mentionedtapering portion, said tapering portion being roughened.

2. In a self-contained electric hand lamp or flashlight, a hollowflexible housing having a transparent member at one end thereof, anelectric light bulb member in said housing, a light reflector member insaid housing, a movable support carrying one of said members formovementrelative to the other members, a battery casing wholly disposedwithin the housing, and means operable on movement of the casing toshift the movable support, the arrangement being such that said othermembers are held stationary by the engagement therewith of said flexiblehousing while said casing is moved within said flexible housing.

3. In a self-contained electric hand lamp or flashlight, ahollow housinghaving a transparent closure at one end thereof, means to support anelectric light bulb socket in the housing, battery casing means whollydisposed within said housing to support a light reflector in saidhousing, said reflector normally being held by said housing in fixedposition within said housing, said casing means being rotatable withinand relative .to said housing, and means operable on rotation of saidcasing means to move said socket relative to the reflector.

4. In a self-contained electric hand lamp or flashlight, a flexiblehousing, a sleeve therein, a

reflector secured to said sleeve in said housing, said sleeve includinga threaded portion, a battery casing wholly disposed within said housingto saidsleeve, a socket in said housing, and means to conduct current tosaid socket, the arrangement being such that said flexible housingnormally engages said sleeve with a tight sliding fit and therebynormally prevents movement or said reflector, while said housingnormally encloses said casing with a loose flt, so that rotation of saidcasing within said housing does not affect the position of saidreflectonalthough said sleeve is slidable into and out of said housingupon the application of sumcient force by virtue of the flexiblecharacteristic of said housing.

i 5. In a self-contained electric hand lamp or flashlight, a hollowsleeve having an internally threaded inner portion, a reflector in saidsleeve fixed against movement relative to the threaded portion, amovable threaded member engaging the internally threaded portion wherebywhen the member is rotated it moves longitudinally relative tosaidthreaded portion, a lamp socket on said member, and a flexible housingwithin which said sleeve, reflector and member are disposed, thearrangement being such that said flexible housing normally grips andholds said sleeve in place therein while said movable member is rotatedrelative thereto.

6. In a self-contained electric hand lamp or flashlight, a housing, asleeve within and normally held by said housing against rotationtherein, a reflector in said housing, means acting to hold saidreflector on said sleeve, said sleeve including a threaded portion, abattery casing wholly disposed within said housing and including athreaded portion engaging the sleeve threaded portion whereby when thecasing is rotated within said housing it moves longitudinally relativeto said sleeve and said reflector, a lampsocket on said casing, andmeans to conduct current to said socket.

7. In a self-contained electric hand lamp or flashlight, a hollowflexible rubber housing, a battery casing wholly disposed within saidhousing, a metal sleeve removably engaging the interior of the housingand normally held thereby against rotation therein, said casingcomprising a cylindrical. tube member loosely disposedwithin saidhousing for rotation therein, said sleeve and said tube member havingcoacting threads thereon, a disk on one end of said casing, a contactmember on said disk. a lamp socket mounted on said disk, a metal collaron said disk about said socket, said disk contact member being adaptedto engage a lamp in said socket and a battery in said casing, aresilient contact member on said collar, a snap switch wholly disposedwithin said housing and adapted to complete a circuit between saidresilient contact member when operated by pressure on said housing andthe sleeve, and a cap on said casing at the end" remote from saidlampsocket, said cap including means to engage a battery in said casing.

8. In a flashlight, a hollow flexible rubber housing, a casing whollydisposed within said housing, a metal sleeve disposed within andremovably engaging the interior of the housing, said sleeve including aforwardly projecting portion, an insulating ring mounted on the end of vthe forwardly projecting portion of said sleeve, a reflector guardmounted on said insulating ring, a reflector mounted on said reflectorguard,

said casing comprising a cylindrical tube member, said sleeve and saidtube member having coacting threads thereon, one end of said casingassassin,

being disposed adjacent said reflector, a disk on said one end of saidcasing, a contact member on said disk, a lamp socket mounted on saiddisk, said reflector having an aperture therein in alignment with saidsocket, a metal collar on said disk about said socket, said disk contactmember being adapted to engage a lamp in said socket and a battery insaid casing, a contact member on said collar, a switch wholly disposedwithin but operable through said housing and adapted to complete acircuit between the contact member on the collar and the sleeve whendepressed by pressure applied to said housing,

and a cap on said casing at the end remote from c said lamp socket, saidcap including means to engage a battery.

9. In a flashlight, a hollow flexible rubber housing, a casing mountedin said housing, a sleeve removably engaging the interior of thehousing, said sleeve including a forwardly projecting portion, aninsulating ring mounted on the end of the forwardly projecting portionof said sleeve, a reflector guard mounted on said insulating ring, areflector mounted on said reflector guard, said housing having aninwardly facing groove therein in advance of said reflector, a lens insaid groove, said casing comprising a cylindrical tube member, saidsleeve and said tube member having coacting threads thereon, one end ofsaid casing'being disposed adjacent said reflector, an insulating diskon said one end of said casing, a contact member on said disk, a lampsocket mounted on said disk, said reflector having an aperture thereinin alignment with said socket, a metal collar on said disk about saidsocket, said disk contact member being adapted to engage a lamp in saidsocket and a battery in said casing, a resilient contact member on saidcollar, a switch on said projecting portion of said sleeve, said switchbeing pivoted and adapted in one position to engage the contact on thecollar, spring means to urge said switch to either of two positions anda, cap on said casing at the end remote from said lamp socket, said capincluding means to en ge a battery.

10. In a flashlight, a hollow flexible housing open at one end andclosed at the opposite end, a transparent member, said housing includingmeans adjacent said open end to removably support said transparentmember to close said open end, a ridged casing member in said housing,said casing having a cup-shaped light reflector removably supportedthereon, a battery positioned in said casing, said casing beingpositioned in said housing with the open end of said light reflectortowards said transparent member, an electric light bulb socket mountedon said transparent member, and a pair of spaced contact members mountedon said transparent member, one of said contact members beingelectrically connected to one contact portion of said socket and theother of said contact members being electricallyconnected to the othercontact portion of said socket.

11. In a self-contained electric hand lamp or flashlight, a hollowflexible housing open at both ends and having a flared end, a removableclosure for each end of the housing, a casing disposed wholly withinsaid housing and adapted to contain a dry battery and having an electriclight bulb socket mounted thereon and having a flared end fltting theflared end of said housing, said casmg and bulb socket being removablefrom the housing as a unit when one of the housing closures is removed,and the casins providing an internal lateral support.ior the housing.

12. In a self-contained electric hand lamp or flashlight, an elongatedhollow flexible rubber housing, said housing being open at the endsthereof, a closure member at one end, a cap member at the other end,means to removably members engaging the other of said contact securesaid cap member to said housing, a hollow casing in said housing, saidcasing having an electric bulb socket mounted thereon to support anelectric light bulb, said casing being adapted to contain a dry battery,a sleeve member positioned in said housing adjacent said front endthereof, means to removably connect said sleeve and said casing, a.light reflecting member supported by said sleeve, said casing being of asize such that when it is disconnected from said sleeve and when saidcap is removed from said housing the casing may be removed from saidhousing through the end thereof.

13. In a flashlight, a hollow housing open at one end and closed at theopposite end, a transparent member, said housing including meansadjacent said open end to removably support said transparent member toclose said open end, a casing member in said housing, a reflector guardmounted on said casing, a cup-shaped light reflector removably supportedby said guard, a battery positioned in said casing, a contact fingermounted on and insulated from said reflector guard, a second contactfinger mounted on said reflector guard, means to direct current fromsaid battery to said first and second contact fingers, said casing beingpositioned in said housing with the open end of said light reflectortowards said transparent member, an electric light bulb socket mounted.on said transparent member, a pair of spaced contact members mounted onsaid transparent member, one of said contact members being electricallyconnected to one contact portion of said socket and the other contactmember being electrically connected to the other contact portion of saidsocket, one of said contact members engaging said first contact fingerand the other of said contact fingers.

14. In a flashlight, a hollow flexible housing open at one end andclosed at the opposite end, a transparent member, said housing includingmeans adjacent said open end to removably support said transparentmember to close said open end, a casing member in said housing, saidcasing including a cup-shaped reflector guard at one end, a cup-shapedlight reflector resiliently supported on said guard, a batterypositioned in said casing, a contact finger mounted on and insulatedfrom said reflector guard, means to direct current from said battery tosaid first and second contact fingers, said means including a switchdevice, a bar member of electrical insulation material, an electriclight bulb socket mounted on said bar, a contact member mounted on saidbar adjacent one endand a pair of spaced contact members mounted on saidbar adjacent the opposite end thereof, electrical conductive meansconnecting said first contact to one contact portion of said socket andelectrical conductive means connecting one of said pairs of contacts andthe other contact portion of said socket, a frangible electricalconductor member mounted on said transparent member in substantiallycircular form and including two spaced and portions, said bar beingpositioned in said housing with said first contact thereon engaging oneof said contact fingers and with the second of said.

contacts thereon engaging said reflector guard, and means whereby whensaid lens is operatively positioned in said housing one of said ends ofsaid conductor thereon is electrically connected to one of said pair ofcontacts of said bar and the other of said ends of said conductor iselectrically connected to the other of said pairs of contacts, meanswhereby said switch is actuated to operative and inoperative positionsby pressure being applied to predetermined areas of said' housing.

15. A self-contained electric hand lamp or flashlight comprising, incombination, a rigid tubular casing having a cap removably coupled toone end thereof; a reflector carriedby the other end of said casing; anelectric lamp having its filament located in front of said reflector; abattery within said casing and in circuit with said lamp; switchmechanism controlling the flow of current from said battery through saidfilament, said mechanism having an operating element mounted on saidcasing; and a normally fluid tight housing wholly enclosing said casing,reflector, lamp, battery and switch mechanism, said housing comprising atubular body consisting of waterproof and electrically non-conductivematerial, said tubular body being unitary and open at both ends andhaving its inner surface engaging the outer surface of said casing, thearea of said tubular body overlying said operating element beingflexible and depressible inwardly to actuate said operating element toclose said circuit, said housing also comprising a cap of waterproof andelectrically non-conductive material closing the bottom end of saidtubular body and closely fitting and enclosing the cap of said casing,said caps being removable for the insertion and removal of a battery insaid casing, said housing also comprising a transparent and fluidimpervious cover removably secured to the other open end of said tubularbody and tightly closing the latter in front of said reflector and .saidlamp, portions adjacent the opposite ends of said tubular body normallyforming fluid tight joints with said cover and with the cap of saidhousing, respectively, to render said housing fluid tight throughout andthereby exclude fluid from said casing, reflector, lamp, battery, andswitch mechanism.

16. A hand lamp or flashlight as claimed in claim 15, in which saidswitch mechanism includes means to retain said operating element in itscircuit-closing position, and said tubular body includes a flexible areaadapted to be depressed inwardly to restore said operating element toits circuit-opening position.

17. A hand lamp or flashlight as claimed in claim 15, in which saidswitch mechanism includes resilient means cooperating with saidoperating element to retain the latter in its circuit-closing position,and said tubular body includes a flexible area adapted to be depressedinwardly to actuate said resilient means and return said operatingelement to its circuit-opening position. i

18. In a self-contained electric hand lamp or flashlight, thecombination with an inner casing of metal adapted to receive a battery;and an outer housing of flexible rubber adapted to receive said casing;a lens associated with one end of said housing; a switch, and a lampunitarily associated with said casing; said casing comprising an innerclosure cap; and said housing comprising an outer closure cap; saidouter closure cap being removable to expose said inner closure cap; andsaid inner closure can being removable to expose the interior of saidcasing, the arrangement being such that the flashlight normally is fluidtight.

19. In a flashlight, the combination of an inner unit and an outer unit;said inner unit comprising a battery casing consisting of a tube and asleeve threaded together for relative rotational movement tolongitudinally adjust said tube relative to said sleeve, a reflector onsaid. sleeve, a lamp on said tube, and an end cap on said tube; saidouter unit comprising a lens, and a flexible water-proof housingconsisting of a tube and an end cap which is removable to expose aportion of said inner unit for focusing adjustment.

20. In a flashlight, the combination of an inner unit and an outer unit;said outer unit comprising a lens, a flexible tube, and a flexible cap;and said inner unit comprising a metal casing and a metal cap; saidcasing consisting of a metal sleeve longitudinally movable butrotationally fixed within said flexible tube, and a metal tuberotationally and longitudinally movable within said flexible tube; areflector on said sleeve; a lamp on said metal tube; the lamp beingfocused by shifting said metal tube within said flexible tube while saidflexible tube is in frictional engagement with said sleeve; and a switchon said sleeve underlying said flexible tube.

' 21. A self-contained electric hand lamp or flashlight comprising: afocusing assembly; and

a flexible normally fluid tight housing completely enclosing the same;said focusing assembly being operable by frictionally engaging thewallof said flexible housing with a part of said focusing assembly whileanother part is shifted relative thereto within said housing.

22. In a flashlight, a hollow fluid tight housing having a transparentclosure at one end thereof, means to support an electric light bulbwithin and wholly enclosed by said housing and closure, a battery insaid housing, means for electrically connecting said bulb and saidbattery, said last named means including electric conductive meanssecured to said transparent closure, said last electrical conductormember secured to saidtransparent closure, said last named means beingso constructed and arranged on said transparent closure that theelectrical connection. between the socket and battery isbroken when thetransparent closure becomes cracked, broken or is removed.

WILLIAM M. LENNAN.

